Telford & Wrekin Music
Rainbow Brass
School Resource Pack
www.telfordculturezone.com
Welcome to Rainbow Brass!
Welcome to Telford & Wrekin Music’s Rainbow Brass.
Rainbow Brass is aimed at Key Stage 2 (years 5& 6) pupils as a follow on from the
Telford & Wrekin Music programme Music 2 the 4 building on the knowledge and
experience gained by the pupils during Music 2 the 4 year.
(visit http://www.telfordculturezone.com/tw_music2the4.php for further details of
Music 2 the 4)
Rainbow Brass is 5 week package is aimed at whole-class teaching for
one hour per week.
It is fun and accessible.
No music reading skills required- just a sense of fun and team work.
The perfect follow-up to Telford & Wrekin Music’s Music 2 the 4.
It can incorporate a variety of brass instruments therefore giving the
potential for the start of a brass band in your school
This resource pack aims to accompany the Rainbow Brass programme but also give
you a few ideas to use in your school after the programme has finished. Telford &
Wrekin Music offers a wide range of musical instrumental lessons and after school
music groups, details of which are available online at www.telfordculturezone.com
or from our office (phone 01952 380981).
Brass family instruments produce their unique sound by the player buzzing his/her
lips while blowing air through a cup- or funnel-shaped mouthpiece. To produce
higher or lower pitches, the player adjusts the opening between his/her lips. The
mouthpiece connects to a length of brass tubing ending in a bell. The shorter the
tubing length, the smaller the instrument, and the higher the sound; and the
longer the tubing length, the larger the instrument, and the lower the sound.
The brass family can trace its ancestry back to herald trumpets, hunting horns, and
military bugles. The main instruments of the brass family include the trumpet,
horn, trombone, and tuba.
Brass Instruments of the Orchestra
There are four main brass instruments in the orchestra:THE TRUMPET
The trumpet is the highest pitched instrument in the brass family. It can play softly
and the player sometimes puts a mute in the ‘bell’, but on the whole, the trumpet
is a loud instrument.
Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500
BC. They are constructed of brass tubing bent twice into an oblong shape, and are
played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which
starts a standing wave vibration in the air column inside the trumpet.
Go online to hear the Trumpet
http://www.dsokids.com/listen/InstrumentDetail.aspx?instrumentID=29
Go online to see how a Trumpet is made
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/ContentDetail/PressReleaseDetail/0
,6375,CNTID=26728&CTID=&CNTYP=NEWS&RLTID=,00.html
THE FRENCH HORN
The HORN, as a rule has a much more gentle sound than the trumpet. It is a very
useful instrument as its tone ‘blends’ - fits in - with almost any other instrument. It
does not play notes as high as a trumpet can, but it has a much bigger range of
notes. The horn is the curliest of the brass instruments. The player holds the horn
by putting one hand in the bell. The player can soften the tone and control the
tuning by simply moving the hand in the bell.
Go online to hear the French Horn playing the Star Wars theme
http://www.dsokids.com/listen/InstrumentDetail.aspx?instrumentID=32
THE TROMBONE
Most orchestras have two types of trombone, tenor and bass trombones. There
are usually two tenors and one bass. From a distance a tenor and bass trombone
look alike, but the bass is a little bigger and can play lower notes. The trombone is
easily recognised by its ‘slide’ - the long brass tube, which slides in and out.
The trombones are the loudest instruments in the orchestra, but they can play
softly too.
Go online to hear the Trombone playing with the orchestra
http://www.dsokids.com/listen/InstrumentDetail.aspx?instrumentID=30
THE EUPHONIUM
The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. They are mainly
found in Western military, marching, and concert bands. Euphoniums are played
by buzzing the lips against a cup mouthpiece. The air then moves through the
brass tubing and leaves through the bell at the other end of the instrument.
Go online to see the Euphonium playing Paganini's Carnival of Venice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqw8v1ILB2g
THE TUBA
The tuba is the bass instrument of the brass family. It is even lower than the bass
trombone. The tuba does not play by itself anymore than the double bass does in
the stings. It is a very large instrument, but does not make a very big sound. It is
easy to see but hard to hear.
Go online to hear the Tuba
http://www.dsokids.com/listen/InstrumentDetail.aspx?instrumentID=31
Usually in an orchestra, there are two trumpets, four horns, three trombones and
one tuba.
Online Resources
www.telfordculturezone.com Telford Culture Zone website with details
of cultural opportunities in Telford and downloadable resources.
www.teachingmusic.org.uk Teaching Music website with free resources
to download.
www.playmusic.org A children's website from the American Symphony
Orchestra League.
www.danieldorff.com Narrated children's stories.
www.nyphilkids.org The New York Philharmonic's educational website
for children.
www.sfskids.org The San Francisco Symphony's educational website for
children.
www.artsalive.ca The National Arts Centre in Canada's educational
website for children
Sample Lesson Plan – All the Buzz!
Teaching Objective
Pupils will develop an understanding that musicians produce sound on a brass
instruments by buzzing their lips into a mouthpiece.
Vocabulary
Vibration– the rapid movement of an object up and down or back and forth
Buzzing– the sound that is produced by blowing air between closed lips, causing
them to vibrate.
Resources
• Plastic bottles of various sizes
• Small diameter PVC pipe (optional)
• Lengths of rubber hose of various lengths (optional)
• Funnels of various sizes (optional)
• A picture of the brass family of the orchestra examples of brass instruments may
be viewed on www.DSOkids.com/listen/instrumentlist.apx
Pre-Assessment
Show your pupils a picture of the brass family (or brass instruments). Ask the
pupils if they can name the brass instruments and describe how sound is produced
on them.
Teaching Sequence
1. Tell your pupils that all sounds are produced by vibration, which is a rapid
movement up and down or back and forth. In musical instruments, sound is
created by causing the air in or around the instrument to vibrate. Instruments are
grouped into four families according to how the player produces that vibration.
2. Buzzing is when a player blows air between their closed lips causing them to
vibrate together. In brass instruments, sound is produced when the player buzzes
his or her lips into a mouthpiece on the instrument. This creates a sound that
travels through the tubing of the instrument. The flared bell of the instrument acts
like a megaphone, amplifying the sound. As a demonstration, make a megaphone
out of a piece of poster board and talk into it. Notice that the megaphone
concentrates the sound in a particular direction, making it louder.
3. Make a mouthpiece by cutting the top off a plastic bottle. Be sure to leave
enough of the bottle so that it flares out, making a place into which you can buzz
your lips-see illustration below.
Culminating Activity
Create a brass instrument by inverting your new mouthpiece into the top of a
larger bottle or jug from which the bottom has been cut out. Experiment by
playing your mouthpiece into various sized jugs and containers and noting what
kind of sound is produced. Try playing your mouthpiece into a piece of garden
hose with a funnel on the end. Try different sized funnels and different lengths of
house. Allow students to try.
Evaluation
Did your pupils develop an understanding that musicians produce sound on a brass
instruments by buzzing their lips into a mouthpiece?
Extension Activity
Tell your pupils that the military uses a brass instrument called a bugle to signal
troops and give instructions like wake up, lights out, or “charge!”. Using the brass
instruments they made, have your pupils create bugle calls by composing small
patterns of long, short, high and low tones. Examples of instructions could be to
line up, stand, sit down, etc.
Design a leaflet for someone who wants to learn to play
a Brass instrument.
Your leaflet could include:Describe the history of the Brass family.
A description the Brass instruments.
Drawings of the Brass instruments.
Why you like playing a Brass instrument.
Rainbow Brass Pupil Worksheet
Name
I know…
1. What instrument is the biggest and lowest sounding instrument of
the brass family?
A. Trumpet
B. French horn
C. Tuba
D. Trombone
2. A musician can produce different notes on this instrument by
moving the slide up or down:
A. Trumpet
B. French horn
C. Tuba
D. Trombone
3. What instrument is the smallest brass instrument and has only 3
valves on it?
A. Trumpet
B. French horn
C. Tuba
D. Trombone
4. What instrument has 12 feet of tubing wrapped into a coil, and has a
flared bell?
A. Trumpet
B. French horn
C. Tuba
D. Trombone
5. Which instrument has 6 feet of tubing bent into an oblong shape?
A. Trumpet
B. French horn
C. Tuba
D. Trombone
6. A musician holds this instrument with one hand in the bell and one
on the keys:
A. Trumpet
B. French horn
C. Tuba
D. Trombone
7. Which instrument has approximately 9 feet of tubing?
A. Trumpet
B. French horn
C. Tuba
D. Trombone
8. Which instrument can have up to 6 valves?
A. Trumpet
B. French horn
C. Tuba
D. Trombone
Brass Clue Cards
The
TROMBONE is the only instrument that has a slide.
Different notes are produced on the trombone by moving the slide up
and down
The TUBA is the biggest
and lowest sounding instrument of
the brass family
12 feet of tubing wrapped into a coil and a
flared bell, makes the
French horn a very
unique instrument!
A horn player holds the French Horn by
putting one hand in the bell, and one hand
on the keys.
The TROMBONE has approximately 9 feet
of tubing!
TUBA
can have up
to 6 valves!
What Next…
Telford & Wrekin Music
Instrumental and Singing Lessons
Telford & Wrekin Music provides a wide range of instrumental and singing lessons for children
and young people in schools across Telford & Wrekin at all levels of achievement.
We currently offer music lessons on:Woodwind (including Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Saxophone, Bassoon)
Strings (including Violin, Viola, ‘Cello and Double bass)
Brass (including Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, French & Tenor horn, Euphonium and
Cornet)
Keyboard
Singing
Drums
Guitar (including Electric Guitar and Acoustic Guitar)
Music Theory
Pupils have the opportunity to perform in concerts, after school music ensembles and to enter
for music exams such as the Associated Board of the Royal Schools Music exams and the Rock
School exams. Every child taught by Telford & Wrekin Music receives a written report from their
instrumental teacher at the end of each term.
We offer free music lessons to those pupils on Free School Meals and a 25% reduction on
lesson charges for those parents on Working Tax Credits.
All our music teachers are experienced teachers and musicians who have undergone child
protection checks and training and under go regular lesson observations.
Our lessons take place during the school day. We provide 30 minute lessons with 10 music
lessons a term at a charge of £7 per lesson.
Telford & Wrekin Music also offers a range of musical instruments for hire.
Telford & Wrekin Music Elementary Brass Ensemble
Where:
Lord Silkin Secondary School
When:
Wednesday evenings during term time 4.00pm to 5.00pm
Who should attend:
Approx preliminary to Grade 3 Brass Players.
Phone the Telford & Wrekin Music Office for further details on 01952 380981
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
School Concerts at Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Introducing KS 1 and KS2 children to the Symphony Orchestra. Tickets to a concert at
Symphony Hall for KS 2 and the CBSO Centre for KS 1, a free support package including
Curriculum information pack, Teachers’ CPD and ‘Book a player’ visit to schools.
Delivered by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Teachers needed as escorts and to prepare pupils for the experience.
Resource pack & CPD available for teachers to help in preparation of pupils for the
concert.
To book this project please contact the CBSO directly, phone 0121 616 6500 or email
[email protected].
Website: www.cbso.co.uk/?page=community/schoolConcerts.html
APPLICATION FORM FOR INSTRUMENTAL & VOCAL LESSONS
Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS
To:
Telford & Wrekin Music, Suite E, The Place, Theatre Square, Limes Walk, Oakengates, Telford, TF2 6EP
STUDENT (please use BLOCK CAPITALS)
Surname
F
Forename
Current School
M
Current Year Group
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yy)
Special Educational Needs/Medical Condition
No
Yes (please give details on separate sheet)
PARENT/GUARDIAN/CARER(please use BLOCK CAPITALS)
Surname (Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss/Dr/Rev)
Forename
Address:
Postcode
Tel Nos Home
Work
Mobile
Email Address
INSTRUMENT CHOICE & OBTAINING AN INSTRUMENT (please tick)
I would like my daughter/son to receive instrumental tuition on:
First Choice
Second Choice
If the pupil is NOT a beginner, for how long have they been learning?
Grade?
(If you are requesting guitar – please state either electric or acoustic – we will do our best to accommodate but it
will depend on what we currently offer in the school)
I will buy my own instrument
I will require the hire of an TWM instrument if available
(please ensure that you have completed an Instrument Hire Form and read and understood the Terms
& Conditions)
(Please note that we do not hire guitars, keyboards or drum kits)
Please do not buy or hire an instrument until you have received a communication from us.
PAYMENT and AGREEMENT (please tick)
I agree to the terms and conditions described within the Information Pack.
I attach proof of benefit if applicable.
Please note that if lessons are provided before proof of benefit has been received then you will be charged the
standard fee, and no credit will be given.
Signed
Dated
NOTE: Your signature on this Agreement will confirm to the Music Service that you have read, understood and
agree to abide by the terms and conditions stated in the Information Pack
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services or celebrate special events. These may appear in our printed publications, on our website, or both. We may
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Telford & Wrekin Council, including printed publications, presentation and on our website.
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(please circle)
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Phone: 01952 380981
Online: www.telfordculturezone.com
Telford & Wrekin Music,
Unit E,
The Place,
Oakengates,
Telford,
TF2 6EP